Clipping
Definition
Clipping is the process whereby a word is truncated to one of its parts.
Fore-Clipping
Aphaeresis is where the front part is taken off (e.g. "parachute" -> "chute").
Middle-Clipping
Syncope is where the middle is left behind (e.g. "influenza" -> "flu").
Back-Clipping
Apocope is where the back is taken off. This is the most common. (e.g. "gasoline" -> "gas").
Complex Clipping
Sometimes clipping is done with compound words (i.e. clipping something out to go from two words to one). (e.g. "science fiction" -> "sci fi").
Example
- Mathematics -> Math
- Telephone -> Phone
- Influenza -> Flu
- Cable telegram -> Cablegram
page revision: 1, last edited: 01 Mar 2012 04:40